Britain's American colonies broke with mother country in 1776 and were recognized as new nation of United States of America following Treaty of Paris in 1783. During 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to original 13 as nation expanded across North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. two most traumatic experiences in nation's history were Civil War (1861-65) and Great Depression of 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and end of Cold War in 1991, US remains world's most powerful nation-state. economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.

Geography

United States

Location:

North America, bordering both North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico

about half size of Russia; about three-tenths size of Africa; about half size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; about two and a half times size of Western Europe

mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in great plains west of Mississippi River, and arid in Great Basin of southwest; low winter temperatures in northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from eastern slopes of Rocky Mountains

tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development

Environment - current issues:

air pollution resulting in acid rain in both US and Canada; US is largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; very limited natural fresh water resources in much of western part of country require careful management; desertification

white 77.1%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1.5%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.3%, other 4% (2000)
note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin) living in US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.)

American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island
note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, US administered Trust Territory of Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship with all four political units: Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with US (effective 1 October 1994); Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with US (effective 3 November 1986); Republic of Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with US (effective 21 October 1986)

Independence:

4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Constitution:

17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789

Legal system:

based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president with Senate approval
elections: president and vice president elected on same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004)
election results: George W. BUSH elected president; percent of popular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 48%, Albert A. GORE, Jr. (Democratic Party) 48%, Ralph NADER (Green Party) 3%, other 1%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Congress consists of Senate (100 seats, one-third are renewed every two years; two members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and House of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 51, Democratic Party 48, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 226, Democratic Party 204, independent 1, undecided 4
elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for life by president with confirmation by Senate); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts

thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 limited , white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; 50 stars represent 50 states, 13 stripes represent 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; design and colors have been basis for a number of other flags, includes Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico

Economy

United States

Economy - overview:

US has largest and most technologically powerful economy in world, with a per capita GDP of $37,600. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of decisions, and federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in private marketplace. US business firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At same time, they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets than barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. US firms are at or near forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment, although their advantage has narrowed since end of World War II. onrush of technology largely explains gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at bottom lack education and professional/technical skills of those at top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all gains in household income have gone to top 20% of households. years 1994-2000 witnessed solid increases in real output, low inflation rates, and a drop in unemployment to below 5%. year 2001 saw end of boom psychology and performance, with output increasing only 0.3% and unemployment and business failures rising substantially. response to terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 showed remarkable resilience of economy. Moderate recovery took place in 2002, with GDP growth rate rising to 2.45%. A major short-term problem in first half 2002 previously a sharp decline in stock market, fueled in part by exposure of dubious accounting practices in some major corporations. war in March/April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq shifted resources to military industries and introduced uncertainties about investment and employment in other sectors of economy. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade deficits, and stagnation of family income in lower economic groups.

Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard (Coast Guard administered in peacetime by Department of Homeland Security but in wartime reports to Department of Navy)

Military manpower - military age:

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - availability:

males age 15-49: 73,597,731 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:

NA

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:

males: 2,116,002 (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$276.7 billion (FY99 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.2% (FY99 est.)

Military - note:

note: 2002 estimates for military manpower are based on projections that do not take into consideration results of 2000 census

Transnational Issues

United States

Disputes - international:

prolonged drought in Mexico border region has strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in Bering Sea awaits Russian Duma ratification; maritime boundary disputes with Canada at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Bahamas have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of area can terminate lease; Haiti claims Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved right to do so) and does not recognize claims of any other state; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island